​Executive Summary​

The above table serves as a snapshot of the typical factors that impact ridership, and illustrates the differences which exist between the current month and the same month in the previous year. If a change occurred, it is categorized to represent a (typically) positive, negative or neutral impact on ridership. More details on the observed impacts are noted in the description of ridership results below. ​

​Local Network Overview

Local Bus

Monthly Total

There were 4,786K boardings in April 2017 compared to 4,523K in March 2016, an increase of 263K boardings (or six percent increase) on local bus service. A negative calendar mix of one fewer weekday and one more Sunday as well as two more holidays (Good Friday, Easter) relative to the previous year contributed to ridership loss. However, improved weather in April 2017 relative to April 2016 resulted in an overall ridership increase. This included severe flooding on April 18, 2016 (Income Tax Day Flood) that resulted in METRO suspending service and additional rain on April 19 – 22, 2016.

​Light Rail

Monthly Total

There were 1,519K boardings on all three light rail lines in April 2017, compared to 1,521K boardings in April 2016, a decrease of 2K boardings (or 0 percent). Green and Purple line ridership increased by 56% and 26% respectively, while Red line ridership decreased by 6% in April 2017 compared to April 2016. A negative calendar mix of one fewer weekday and one more Sunday as well as two more holidays (Good Friday, Easter) relative to the previous year contributed to ridership loss. However, improved weather in April 2017 relative to April 2016 resulted in an overall ridership increase. This included severe flooding on April 18, 2016 (Income Tax Day Flood) that resulted in the suspension of rail service on all three rail lines and additional rain on April 19 – 22, 2016. There was another factor which contributed to a ridership increase, namely, the extension of the Green line to Magnolia Park Transit Center on January 11, 2017. In addition, the Red line was negatively impacted by the absence of a major special event (NCAA Final Four tournament) that was hosted in Houston on April 2 – 4, 2016. The continued economic downturn in the Houston area was also a contributing factor to its ridership loss relative to Green and Purple lines.

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday / Saturday / Sunday

Average light rail Weekday ridership increased by 3K (or 4%) in April 2017 compared to April 2016. Average light rail Saturday daily ridership increased by 2K (or 7%) while average light rail Sunday ridership increased slightly by 1%. Average Weekday, Saturday, and Sunday ridership on the Red Line showed a loss of 1%, 0%, and 3% over April 2016 respectively. Average Weekday, Saturday and Sunday ridership on the Green line showed increases of 56%, 61%, and 36% and the Purple line showed increases of 30%, 22%, and 1% over April 2016 respectively. As stated in the paragraph above, the Green line was extended to Magnolia Park Transit Center on January 11, 2017, resulting in two additional stations relative to the previous year.

Total Local Network

Monthly Total

There were 6,305K boardings in March 2017 compared to 6,044K in March 2016, an increase of 261K boardings (or 4 percent increase).

​Commuter Network Overview

Park & Ride

Monthly Total

There were 639K Park & Ride boardings in April 2017 compared to 630K boardings in April 2016, an increase of 9K boardings (or 2 percent increase). A negative calendar mix of one fewer weekday and one more Sunday as well as two more holidays (Good Friday, Easter) relative to the previous year contributed to ridership loss. However, improved weather in April 2017 relative to April 2016 resulted in an overall ridership increase. This included severe flooding on April 18, 2016 (Income Tax Day Flood that resulted in METRO suspending service and additional rain on April 19 – 22, 2016. Access to several METRO Park & Ride lots was impeded or impossible following these April 2016 rains (e.g. Addicks, Cypress) while access was available to all lots during April 2017.

Average Daily Ridership: Weekday

Average Weekday ridership in April 2017 was 32K boardings compared to 33K boardings April 2016, a decrease of -1K boardings (or 2 percent decrease). According to the most recent Origin-Destination Survey, 94% of all Park and Ride trips are work-based trips. The increase in unemployment relative to the previous year is a major contributor to the decrease in ridership.

Entire Network Summary

Monthly Total

There were 6,945K boardings on the entire fixed-route network in April 2017 compared to 6,674K boardings in April 2016, an increase of 271K boardings (or 4 percent increase).